Magically Odd

Wondering what's with the weather?  Why the loooong winters or the scorching summers? Is Spring ever coming? Well, take a break from the perils of Climate Change with Neil Gaiman's Odd and the Frost Giants.  It's a short read, perfect for a quiet afternoon, whether it's cold or not out there.  It's Norse mythology made easy!  12-year-old Odd's life of bad luck is about to change when he meets a bear, a fox, and an eagle.  But not before his luck takes a turn for the worse when he has to take on a Frost Giant!  Or at least it seems to Odd.  But this young boy has magic in his hands, that is, if by magic you mean "letting things do what they wanted to do, or be what they wanted to be..."  And isn't that a lesson learned?

Neil Gaiman's story of Odd was written for the UK World Book Day and is beautifully illustrated by Brett Helquist.  I'm almost sure we'll meet Odd in the future and (hopefully) in a longer story!  But while we're all waiting with bated breath, enjoy this magical little book from a truly magical author!

Fairies Most Fowl

Do you believe in fairies?  I'm not talking about willowy, whimsical, gossamer-winged types, Tudygirls.  I'm talking about militant, in-your-face sprites that inhabit the world of Eoin Colfer's Artemis Fowl!

Artemis Fowl is an Irish lore-filled tale that's just perfect for Saint Patrick's Day. When 12-year-old Artemis decides to help his financially strapped family, he captures a fairy agent (Captain Holly Short) and demands gold for her release. Wily, cunning, and a wheeler dealer to the end, he gets the gold plus his wish to save his insane mother.  But alas, mi laddies, Artemis realizes nothing is ever the same when two worlds collide!

So this Saint Patrick's Day, get ready to rumble!  Go Irish and treat yourself to this riveting, adventure-packed read! Artemis Fowl is an exciting book that delves deep into an unforgiving, fairy world (The LEPrecon). Most importantly, it's a great introduction to the now popular Artemis Fowl series.  You'll want to follow Artemis' "other" worldly adventures to the end!

Dia Dhuit, Tudygirls, and may the luck of the Irish be with you!!!

Tudy on the PINK Carpet!

It's Red Carpet season!  This month all our fave actors will be sashaying in fabulous formals!  My bets for best picture? UP and Avatar!

But for TudyGirls that means it's Pink Carpet season!  Time to channel your inner fashionista without spending a lot!  Design your own clothes!  Grab a sketchbook and pencil and let your imagination run wild!  Use your Tudydoll as your mannequin du jour - print her in her basic swimsuit, cut her out and copy her shape onto a blank sheet and let your design sense do the rest.  Or click on over to Tudy Couture and use the templates to help you get started.  Then color and embellish as you please!  This could be the start of something BIG!

Tiger Tudy!

It's the Year of the Tiger, at least according to the Chinese Lunar Calendar! And it promises to be a brave new year!  The Tiger is a symbol of courage and power and is said to keep away the three worse tragedies of a household - fire, thieves, and ghosts (!!!).

But let's make it a Real Tiger Year, TudyGirls! Earn your stripes and help save these magnificent and powerful big cats!  (Oh, Meowry will be purring with joy!)  Did you know that there are less than 3,200 tigers in the wild? But we can all do a little something to at least double that number! Get your schools involved with research projects and field trips that focus on the plight of these endangered wild cats! And join the World Wildlife Fund's Tx2 project and help save the tigers!

The Heart Truth

Here’s a Tudy pick that’s worth your gift-giving heart this Valentine’s Day: Queen of Hearts.

It’s a delightful tale of how one little girl solves her Valentine dilemma by truly giving from her heart.  You see, little Ann Estelle is one crafty, talented artist ~ she just loves making things!  So come Valentine's, she decides to make the most beautiful Valentine mailbox for her school’s party. She painstakingly adorns her box with fave things: ribbons, flowers, feathers, and furs. She even goes overboard and adds little cars and wheels!  Somehow though, she forgets the very items a Valentine mailbox is all about: Valentines for her classmates! (Oh, can you just imagine???)

Written and illustrated by Mary Engelbreit, Queen of Hearts will rule the roost this Valentine’s Day. It has a simple yet tug-at-your heart sleeve message that rings true in these recessionary, cautionary times.

So this Valentine's Day, be Tudy True and fall in love ~ my kingdom for the Queen of Hearts!!!

Three's Company!

I'm turning THREE this Valentine's Day and what better way to celebrate than with a gift from the heart - a free, 2-D, Tudy Doll.

Just download the image on card stock, cut out (be careful!) and, viola, you've got your own Tudy Doll! Then check out Tudy Couture, Tudy Tips, and Tudy Tees for even more 2-D fun ideas!

Happy Valentine's, TudyGirls, and Happy Birthday to ME!

Tudy's Think Tank

It's all about the SALE, right?  It's the sign of our times!  But there are sales and then there are real sales.  Case in point:  you've been eyeing those gym shoes since (OMG!!!) last year's Thanksgiving sale.  The price of those shoes were discounted at 30% then. Now with spring around the corner, they've been discounted another 20%.  Would you have saved more on those gym shoes with a single discount of 50%?

(Tudy Tip: a single 50% discount is way cheaper! And, speaking of savings - making your own cards is way-out-there cheaper, so check out Tudy Tidings for a real deal!)

Moon Magic

Okay, okay. At 500+ pages, this book initially intimidates! But once you realize 287 pages are detailed, interactive illustrations of the story, you'll breeze thru... and rave all about it!!!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is that one of a kind book that begs to differ.  Part novel, flipbook, comic book, and graphic novel, it truly is in a genre all its own.  ( Frankly, I have yet to see anything like it! )

Set in 1930's Paris, the book opens with Hugo, a 12-year-old, orphaned boy and his clock keeper uncle living within the confines of a train station. When his uncle dissappears, Hugo decides to quietly maintain the clocks so he can continue living the way he did and secretly repair an artifact left by his late father. This artifact, an automaton, sends Hugo on a wild and meandering journey! ( Think streets of Paris! ) What follows brings together unlikely friends and a giant in the then budding film industry, Georges Melies.

Winner of the 2008 Caldecott Medal and Quill Award in the Children's Chapter/Middle Grade category, The Invention of Hugo Cabret  will captivate your imagination.  I know it did mine.  So sit back, relax, and let this wonderful, spellbinding book leave you moonstruck!

Tudy's Top Ten Reasons to See Avatar

1.  10-foot, blue-skinned people totally rock!
2.  You'll quickly realize Earth is our home, our Pandora.  (Resolve to go green!)
3.  It's a titanic 3-hour treat!  But this ship doesn't sink so it's well worth your parent$' money.
4.  It's early American history... ON STEROIDS!!!
5.  It's a wonderful story of coexistance. Could be our story too!  ( Wake-up people! )
6.  James Cameron spent $250,000,000 on production... and did it RIGHT!!!
7.  This time, the really good guys win!
8.  It could actually take Dad away from ESPN!
9.  It's a good excuse to miss this weekend's science fair.
10.  I give it an A... for AVATAR!!!

So shake the winter doldrums away.  Enjoy this visually, thrilling 3-D epic!

Good Omens!

Start your New Year with an oldie but goodie - Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman's Good Omens!  First published in 1990, this hilariously dark and apocalyptic book is just what the start of this New Decade needs (Did you realize that it's the end of the Naughties!)!  Throw in the oddest of couples (an angel and demon), the strangest of Adams, and a Dog who never turns out to be what it was supposed to be, and you have a devilishly good, cunningly funny read!  Sometimes it helps to find a laugh in serious stuff! And both Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman are masters at this!

So here's hoping 2010 is full of Good Omens!

The Tail End

Meowry’s wish for the holidays? The gift of family!  Adopt an abandoned cat, dog, or bird and receive a gift that truly keeps on giving!  Find your new furry or feathered friend at Petfinder. They’ve been fostering matchups and hookups since 1995.

Happy, holiday tails to you!!!

"But Darling, I Am Your Auntie..."

What would the holidays be without that special aunt?  Or any celebration for that matter?  Deep down, you always knew she's the “cooler” one.  And that, Tudygirls, has spelled a larger-than-life difference!

So this Christmas, jingle up a little holiday magic with the Kringles. Get to know Sophie Kringle and Tudy’s all time favorite aunt, Auntie Claus. Part Auntie Mame, Audrey Hepburn, and Coco Chanel, Auntie Claus is that lovable, eccentric aunt (oh, you know you have one! ) whose life choices have always befuddled you. After all, she never married, lives atop the Cherry Bing Hotel ( Penthouse 25C, mind you! ), and always disappears this time of year.

Written and illustrated by Elise Primavera,  Auntie Claus  is a treasure trove of holiday cheers! It’s a dress-up delight for the young, old, and every “tween” in between. Because amidst all the fur-trimmed outfits, mittens, shoes, and hats are wonderful life lessons about the true meaning of Christmas and family. Auntie Claus, after all, always abides by her “first and final rule”.

So here’s to all those great aunts out there!  From Auntie Mame to Auntie Claus, let’s hear it for the girls!

Seasons Treatings!!!